Star Wars™ fans are preparing for yet another epic journey this year as the 2nd annual Course of the Force lightsaber relay prepares for its launch July 9th through the 16th. This time, Her Universe™, a leader in female genre merchandise, and founded by actress and voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ashley Eckstein, will be the apparel merchandise partner for the event. Her Universe will be selling this brand new merchandise for both men and women at the COTF “conival” events in San Francisco, Santa Monica, Huntington Beach and Oceanside Pier as well as at the Her Universe booth at San Diego Comic-Con International where the relay concludes. $5.00 from the sale of each shirt and $10.00 from the sale of each hoodie will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The Course of the Force is an Olympic torch-style relay that all aspiring Jedi Knights can take part in. The week long journey, which begins in San Francisco and ends in San Diego, benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundations of California. Renowned artist Russell Walks designed the 2013 look for Course of the Force that is featured on the merchandise.

“Since I began working as an artist with Lucasfilm, a lot of my childhood wishes have come true,” said Walks. “Designing the key art for the Course of the Force relay allowed me, in a very small way, to help some kids realize THEIR dreams, through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and I consider myself very lucky to have been asked to help.”

In addition to providing the apparel for this year’s Course of the Force, Eckstein is also returning, for the 2nd year in a row, as co-host with The Nerdist’s Chris Hardwick and other talent for the exclusive coverage of the relay.

“It’s an honor to return as a co-host and merchandise partner for Course of the Force,” said Eckstein. “This is truly a magical and Force-filled event. It was also a pleasure to work with Russell Walks. We are so lucky that he donated his time and talent to create this amazing design!”

You can still sign up for Course of the Force, the lightsaber relay from Skywalker Ranch to Comic-Con International in San Diego July 9-16, 2013 benefiting the Make-a-Wish Foundation, by clicking here:

About Her Universe
Her Universe was launched in 2009 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, and her partner, The Araca Group, known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world. Her Universe was created to directly address the expanding market of female fans by entering into its first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for the Syfy network including such shows as Battlestar Galactica and with BBC America for Doctor Who and with CBS Consumer Products for Star Trek. You can learn more about Her Universe and purchase the current line of fangirl apparel and accessories by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein on Facebook (facebook.com/HerUniverse) and Twitter (twitter.com/HerUniverse).

About Russell Walks
Illustrator Russell Walks began drawing before he could speak. He lives in Montana, where he spends his days drawing, painting and counting himself lucky that he actually gets paid for doing what he loves. twitter.com/russellwalksrussellwalks.tumblr.com

Her Universe™ founder, and voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Ashley Eckstein, will be appearing at the upcoming Doctor Who fan convention, Gallifrey One, the annual North American Doctor Who celebration, February 15th thru the 17th, at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport Hotel in Los Angeles, California. In addition, Eckstein will be bringing along the Her Universe booth filled with all the latest Her Universe Doctor Who fangirl apparel including an exclusive Doctor Who tee, limited to 300, featuring the art of renowned illustrator Russell Walks, only offered at the Gallifrey One 2013 convention. Eckstein will be meeting fans at the Her Universe booth and offering personal styling tips to fangirls throughout the weekend. In addition, she will be appearing on several panels and on stage for a discussion with fans.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to attend Gallifrey One,” said Ashley Eckstein. “It’s an exciting time to be a Doctor Who fan as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this iconic series. In honor of this special event, we are excited to be offering an exclusive design by Russell Walks! Russell and I will be at the Her Universe booth throughout the convention and we look forward to meeting fans throughout the weekend.

“I’m super-excited to be spending the weekend with Ashley and the Her Universe crew eating fish fingers & custard and talking about Doctor Who with the best fans in all of space and time,” said Russell Walks. “I’m also thrilled that ‘The Girl Who Waited’ design on which I worked so hard will finally be available for fans who love Amelia Pond as much as I do!”

About Her Universe
Her Universe was launched in 2009 by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Eckstein, and her partner, The Araca Group, known as one of the most innovative theatrical production and merchandise companies in the world. Her Universe was created to directly address the expanding market of female fans by entering into its first agreement with Lucas Licensing to develop and produce a line of female-centered Star Wars apparel and accessories. The success of that line was followed up with a collection for the Syfy network including such shows as Battlestar Galactica and with BBC America for Doctor Who and with CBS Consumer Products for Star Trek. You can learn more about Her Universe and purchase the current line of fangirl apparel and accessories by going to www.heruniverse.com and by following Eckstein on Facebook (facebook.com/HerUniverse) and Twitter (twitter.com/HerUniverse).

About Gallifrey One 2013
The 24 Hours of Gallifrey One is in its 24th year and is the world’s largest and longest-running Doctor Who fan convention, celebrating the golden anniversary of Doctor Who this year. For more information on Gallifrey One 2013 go to www.gallifreyone.com

About Russell Walks
Although his original career goals included both becoming bionic and joining the rebellion against the Empire, Russell Walks eventually decided that his destiny lie along another path, and chose art school over adventure. Since beginning his career as a professional illustrator, Walks has created art based on licensed properties for a variety of clients, including Lucasfilm, Paramount, Warner Brothers, and Marvel. Walks is also a successful painter; his personal work has won both regional and national acclaim, and hangs in private collections throughout the world. Walks only recently discovered the “Whoniverse,” and is extremely excited to be attending his first Doctor Who convention.